Big Trouble in Little China Straw Hat

I was always a fan of the movie BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. And for this year 2016 I wanted to build a costume based on one of the supernatural villain STORM "LIGHTNING"....

I was going to buy the straw hat from Japan but the cost was $500 + shipping...which was waayyy to much...

So I decided to build that Hat myself out of cheap materials....so I figure basket weaving and lots of patience should pay off...

Materials:

30 inch Christmas Wreath Frame (I believe this is an accurate measurement based on an auction spec of the $3000 WIND Hat that was sold a couple of years back) = $8.00 from Michaels with a 50% off coupon

20 packs of Raffia straw from the Dollar Store at $1.25 each

1 bundle of twine = $1.25

1 spray can of light Brown primer/paint = $6.00

1 Laundry basket = $1.25

All the materials can be found pretty easily....

The use of the Wreath and Laundry basket would form a strong base....

I forgot to add that I had a toy construction helmet added to the inside with liquid nails so I can wear the hat...

Painted the frame light brown....I wish I had purchased a white laundry basket instead of green but I figured with the straw you and paint you wont be able to tell....

The frame was held together by the twine. Then I started Basket Weaving which basically involved me tying the straw individually to the basket and wreath...yes each single strand...10 hours over a week while watching TV.....long and tedious........yikes.....

After 1 week I completed the hat which worked well as a hat....and I could see out of the hat between the straws....I also made the rest of the costume....sewing....making the scales....but that is another build....enjoy!!!